LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Punjab government announced on Wednesday closure of educational institutions – from primary to higher secondary grades – till November 17 in four divisions, including Lahore.
The education department issued a notification closing institutions from November 7 to 17. All government and private institution will teach students up to grade 12 and A-level online, the notification added.
The notification said schools in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari and Khanewal will remain closed.
Earlier, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb addressed a press conference along with Health Minister Imran Nazir and said the smoke from stubble burning in India caused heavy smog in Punjab. The smoke polluted air as the direction of wind blew it towards Pakistan.
She said that earlier primary schools were closed in view of smog, but secondary and higher secondary schools are also being closed in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan divisions.
She said smog prevention steps have been taken on the instruction of Punjab chief minister that included ban on smoky vehicles, closure of brick kilns and awareness raising in agriculture and industrial sectors to control smog.
The senior minister said that more than 900 people visited hospital in Lahore on Tuesday with breathing problems due to smog and advised people to wear masks.
The AQI of Lahore was recorded at around 1,100 this morning, she added.
Senior Minister Marriyum advised people to stay indoors and wear mask if they have to go out of their houses.